Author: Jude Genereaux

What could be more apropos than a classic BHUU SOAPBOX SUNDAY to kick off the red, white & blue month of July in a most patriotic flurry?   Our newly elected Board Chair, Jim Bradley will facilitate the flow of discussion on Sunday, July 3^rd as we bring to the fore our most passionate pleas, rancorous rants and querulous questions.  Where IS our nation going?  Why do we do that?  And what is going to be our salvation?  Plan to bring to us your rising rage, and also –please- your most hopeful hallejuia’s as to how we get through this time.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, use of masks is optional.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.  There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church.

Be sure to be with us next Sunday, June 26, as fellow member Pat Barry leads the fellowship on a quest in “Telling Our Stories”.   As part of the Service, Pat will present her theory as to how each of us creates our life story, positing that they may not be the same as how others in our various relationships might see them.   

The fellowship will be prompted to share (short) episodes of their lives during the discussion period, inspired by a number of probing questions Ms. Barry will share with the congregation.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, use of masks is optional.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.  There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church.

June 18^th brings Ch Dennis Peters to lead the service at Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist fellowship, 230 W Messenger in Rice Lake.   Choosing the Fourth Principle of UU, “A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning”, Ch Peters will review historical roots of Unitarianism, founded in the United States in 1825, to then merge with  Universalists in 1961.   As is our tradition, a discussion always follows.  

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, use of masks is optional.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link.  There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church.

Part II of our group viewing of the film THE INVISIBLE HAND which took place last weekend, continues this coming Sunday, June 12  as BHUU members and visitors gather at the church and on Zoom to discuss impressions and reactions to the award winning documentary created by Mark Ruffalo, Joshua Pribanic and Melissa Troutman

Focused on a global movement, Grant Township PA became the first community in the U.S. to attempt to defend an ecosystem in court  using the genre “Rights of Nature.”   A new legal paradigm to western culture, the court is challenged to decide “Does nature hold inalienable rights?  Shall it be granted personhood in a court of law?”  In the current global battle between capitalism and democracy, this becomes relevant as we explore the fight for survival, and why it is at stake.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, use of masks is optional.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to  members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.   There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church, located at 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake.

Our Service June 5^th will feature the film The Invisible Hand.  Described as a documentary in a new genre defined as “The Rights of Nature” this creation from Mark Ruffalo, Joshua Pribanic and Melissa Troutman has already won four “Best” awards in its category.   The “plot-twisting, eye-opening” story stems from a court battle in Grant County, PA to stop fracking waste from being injected in their watershed, and becomes relevant to the current global battle between capitalism and democracy as it explores the fight for our survival, and why it is at stake. 

The film can be accessed online any time by googling it, and can be watched at home OR at the church on Sunday morning, June 5th.  A link to the film’s website, password and detailed instructions will be sent to members ahead of time; we will then host a discussion on the film June 12^th. 

BHUU’s just wanna have FUN!   (too!) So after putting a long winter to rest, our annual meeting and KP Sunday behind us, and anticipating a brand new year ahead – we’ve planned our Second Annual Picnic in the Park, Memorial Day weekend.

In a response to the many restrictions indoor meetings placed upon us, in 2021 we came upon this great way to gather the clan.   So successful was it, we’re anxious to make it a tradition, so we’ve reserved the shelter at Veteran’s Memorial Park, downtown Rice Lake on Lakeshore Dr. between Stout and Douglas Street.  Bring your own utensils, a plate, beverage, a dish to pass & C’mon down!

We’ll gather at 11:00 –dress accordingly and be prepared to just hang out and be with friends.   This Sunday’s gathering won’t be on Zoom, so can’t be shared in that manner – but ALL ARE WELCOME, as always … so y’all come!  See you at the lake.  

Blue Hills UU’s mark the approach of a new year of programs, services, new officers and budgeting at our ANNUAL MEETING -this Sunday, May 22.   A slate of officers will be presented for the full body to elect, as well as the proposed budget for the year that begins July 1^st.  All members are urged to take part in this important meeting, which can be accessed in person at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall, or on Zoom.  After the business of the morning is completed, there will be time for all to contribute to our spring tradition “KP Morning”, to clean up the grounds and interior.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those  fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  In accordance with CDC recommendations, the use of masks is optional.  Our services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to  members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.   There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church, located at 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake.

The Third Principle of Unitarian belief:   “Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations” will be the topic of our visiting chaplain, Dennis Peters, Sunday, May 15.   As UU’s we are not tied to historical dogmas or doctrine, but spend our time together in search of universal truths that for us, bring meaning to our time on earth and define what actual spirituality requires. 

All who seek insight are invited to be with us at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings;  those who are fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  According to CDC recommendations, the use of masks is optional.  Our services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to  members, and all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.   There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church, located at 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake.

PR 2022-05-08

Our Blue Hills UU Fellowship supports the work of the UUSC in a variety of ways, but –what exactly IS the UUSC?  “The “Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is a non-profit, nonsectarian associate member organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association that works to provide disaster relief and promote human rights and social justice around the world.”   Founded in May of 1940 by Lotta Hitschmano, today’s UUSC is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

An appropriate choice for our service this Mother’s Day, Sunday,May 8^th , BHUU’s will learn more about the  nurturing work and accomplishments of the UUSC;  our service begins at the standard time, 10 a.m.

All who seek insight are invited to be with us on Sunday mornings;  those who are fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  As of Thursday April 28, the CDC’s Covid-19 Community Level for Barron County increased to “High”. covid-by-county.html  It is the recommendation of the CDC that all persons gathering in public indoor spaces wear a mask at this level.  Therefore, due to the age and health conditions of some of our members and friends, we are asking/requiring that all in-person attendees at Sunday’s BHUU service wear a mask while in the building.  This shall continue until the risk level is reduced.

Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to all members, although all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.   There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church, located at 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake.

Fellow Blue Hills Unitarian-Universalist, Dr. Mark Van Etten hosts the Service Sunday, May 1^st and plans to provoke those attending with the question: “Utopia, Really?” Using Rutger Bregman’s book “Utopia for Realists” as a starting point, Mark will launch those attending into a discussion as to whether this concept of utopia is useful – are his utopian ideals realistic?  What would  Utopia(s) would look like to YOU?        

Now retired from Spooner Health medical staff, Dr. Van Etten remains deeply involved in community and family life and has been an annual Birkie skier for many years.  He’s been heard to claim that living in the town of Greater Madge is abit of a Utopia all of it’s own.  

All who seek insight are invited to be with us on Sunday mornings;  those who are fully vaccinated are welcome at BHUU.  Use of masks is optional, consistent with CDC recommendations.  Services are also broadcast on Zoom; the link is sent to all members, although all who may be interested are invited to contact patriciashifferd@gmail.com for the link needed.   There will be time for fellowship and coffee after the service at the church, located at 230 W. Messenger St. in Rice Lake.